Jon Livsey Financial Planner

01/04/2026

Six tax changes hit business owners on 6 April.

Most people I speak to knew about one or two. Almost nobody had the full picture.

So I've put together a quick rundown — real numbers, no jargon, no scare tactics.

Here's what's actually changing:

1. Dividend tax up 2 percentage points across every band (basic 8.75% to 10.75%, higher 33.75% to 35.75%)
2. Business Property Relief capped at £2.5m per person for 100% IHT relief (more on this in a separate post)
3. Making Tax Digital mandatory for income over £50k — quarterly digital returns start now
4. Writing-down allowance drops from 18% to 14% — slower tax relief on equipment
5. Business Asset Disposal Relief jumps from 14% to 18% — selling your business just got pricier
6. Working-from-home flat rate allowance removed

Which one caught you off guard? Drop a number in the comments.

05/07/2025

Proud to rated 5 stars and named in The 2025 Vouched For Top Rated Financial Adviser guide featured in The Times newspaper on 25.06.2025.

Thank you to all my clients for all your shared experiences and support. Your trust and feedback is invaluable - it not only helps others find a trusted financial planner but also ensures I continue to grow and improve. My approach is all about holistic financial planning, with a focus on families, business owners, and professionals - always planning with purpose and guiding with heart.

11/02/2025

Is This the End of Cash ISAs? 💰🚨

Significant changes could be coming for ISAs! City reformers want to limit or scrap tax-free cash ISAs to push more people into stocks & bonds. With 14 million UK investors holding only cash—despite lower long-term returns—there’s a debate about whether tax breaks should encourage investment instead.

Two major ideas are being discussed:
📉 Cap cash ISAs (e.g., £5K max) while keeping £20K for investments.
💷 Remove stamp duty on UK stocks bought in an ISA.

Will savers actually switch? Smart move or bad idea? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️

It is high time the tax system encouraged more economically productive behaviour than parking funds in a cash account

16/12/2024

How do people reset after a busy day?

For me, after a day full of meetings, numbers, and planning, I believe it’s so important to take a moment to slow down.

Some evenings, I’ll sit down with the family, enjoy a meal together, and catch up on their day.

Other times, it’s about having some leisure time – a quiet walk, practising golf, or even a few minutes of absolute silence - as rare as that is!

Spending time with my youngest son is always a highlight. Reading him a bedtime story isn’t just a routine; it’s a reminder of why I work hard in the first place.

Unwinding isn’t about having loads of spare time – it’s about making the most of the things and people who mean the most.

Whether it’s a quick breather or quality time with loved ones, those small resets keep me going.

How do you hit the pause button at the end of your day?

13/12/2024

Have you ever set a goal that feels more like wishful thinking?

I was chatting to a client the other day, and they told me they felt overwhelmed by their financial goals.

They knew what they wanted to achieve, but the steps to get there felt confusing, and they were unsure where to even begin.

In the many years I've spent in the Financial industry, this is such a common experience - and honestly, I get it!

Finances can feel daunting. But what I believe is key to success is breaking those big dreams into smaller, achievable steps.

When we sat down, we started with the basics. What does financial success actually look like for them?

Is it retiring early, supporting their children through university, or creating a safety net for the unexpected?

Once we had clarity on their goals, the next step was creating a practical, step-by-step plan that felt manageable. No jargon, no unrealistic expectations – just clear actions they could take today, tomorrow, and in the future.

The result? A clear path forward that gave them confidence in their financial future.

There’s nothing better than seeing someone take control and feel empowered to achieve what matters most to them.

Financial planning doesn’t have to feel complicated. When it’s tied to what truly matters, it becomes so much easier to stick to. And that’s where real progress happens.

10/12/2024

This week’s WeekWatch article is out, so for those who are interested, I thought I'd summarise below.

There has plenty going on, from political drama abroad to updates closer to home. Here’s a quick rundown:

✅ France: Prime Minister Michel Barnier resigned after losing a no-confidence vote, leaving President Macron to navigate a divided parliament. Markets, however, remained calm.

✅ South Korea: President Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law failed, and while calls for his resignation grow, political uncertainty has dented the country’s markets.

✅ US-China Trade Tensions: China has restricted rare earth exports to the US, keeping trade disputes in the spotlight.

✅ UK: The FTSE 100 stayed flat last week despite record-high house prices and hints at rate cuts from the Bank of England in 2025.

✅ Wealth Check: Thinking about Christmas gifts? Cash gifts, Junior ISAs, or even starting a child’s pension can be thoughtful and tax-efficient.

For anyone who'd like to read a more detailed version, here's the link to the article:

https://www.jonesregan.co.uk/article/detail/sjpp/weekwatch-09-12-2024.html

09/12/2024

As we get closer to the end of the year, I always find myself looking back and thinking about family, work, and what the future might bring.

This time of year just has a way of making me want to pause, check in on things, and see if there’s anything I can fine tune.

It’s the same advice I share with clients, too. Whether it’s double checking tax efficiency, making sure retirement plans are where they should be, or just seeing if investments are aligned with future goals, it’s the perfect time to do a bit of a “financial health check.”

For me, starting the new year knowing all the essentials are covered means I can focus on what really matters without second guessing.

Here’s to getting ready for a new year with a fresh perspective and peace of mind.

02/12/2024

Do you ever feel like your financial plan doesn’t quite fit your life?

I was thinking about this over the weekend, after chatting with a new client on Friday. They had a plan that, on paper, looked great. It ticked all the technical boxes - solid investments, well-structured savings - but it just didn’t feel right to them, so asked if I would help.

The reason? It wasn’t connected to what actually mattered in their life.

This is something I’ve come across so many times. Financial plans that do all the right things technically but don’t feel meaningful because they’re not rooted in personal values.

If your plan doesn’t reflect your priorities - whether it’s family, freedom, or future ambitions - it can start to feel a bit directionless.

I believe your financial goals should always be an extension of your values. For example:

- If family is your priority, the core of your plan should be about protecting them, whether that’s through life insurance, a trust, or savings for your children’s future.

- If freedom and flexibility are what drive you, your investments should reflect that.

Once your finances align with your values, everything clicks into place. Saving and investing stop feeling like chores and start feeling like steps toward something bigger. Suddenly, every decision you make has a sense of purpose.

It’s about more than just growing wealth - it’s about creating a life that reflects what’s most important to you.

So, if your financial plan feels like it’s missing something, take a step back and think about your values and what truly matters to you. Once you know that, the financial side can follow naturally, and everything feels much more meaningful.

28/11/2024

Tomorrow is Black Friday, and I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to get over excited for a bargain.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be searching for a bargain or two myself (who isn't!). But before diving in, it’s worth pausing for a moment to ask: "Am I buying what I actually need, or just caught up in the hype?"

In my career, every year, I hear about people who “saved” hundreds during Black Friday, but on closer inspection, they often spent far more than planned.

With a bit of planning, you can make Black Friday work for you instead of your wallet taking the hit.

Here are three tips to keep in mind before you start shopping tomorrow:

- Set a Budget: Decide how much you’re happy to spend and stick to it. Going in with a clear limit makes all the difference.

- Prioritise Needs Over Wants: Focus on things you’ve planned to buy, not just what catches your eye in the moment.

- Do Your Research: A deal isn’t always a deal. Check prices in advance to make sure you’re getting genuine value.

Black Friday is a great opportunity when approached with a plan. The key is making decisions that benefit you, not just your shopping basket.

22/11/2024

I was chatting the other day about how supporting Man Utd and working in financial advice are weirdly similar. And no, it’s not just the stress levels - it all boils down to one key thing: resilience.

As a lifelong United fan, I’ve seen it all - the highs, the lows, and those “what on earth are we doing?” moments. Let’s be honest, being a United fan over the years has been a masterclass in patience.

Watching the team struggle through tough seasons, waiting for the right manager, the right players, and the right strategy to come together - it’s tested even the most loyal of fans.

That patience is exactly what’s needed when it comes to investing too. Just like rebuilding a football team, building wealth through investments isn’t an overnight thing. You’ve got to stick with it, ride out the ups and downs, and trust the process, even when it feels like the markets (or your team) are against you.

And, let’s face it, staring at red arrows on an investment chart can feel a lot like watching a goalless draw on a rainy Wednesday night.

Now, with Rúben Amorim stepping in as United’s new manager, there’s a fresh sense of hope. He’s all about building strong foundations and facing challenges head-on - something that resonates with financial planning.

Just like a manager has to think long-term to rebuild a team, you have to keep your eyes on the bigger picture when investing. Sure, there will be bad days, but the rewards come to those who wait.

So whether it’s rebuilding a football team or managing investments, patience isn’t just a virtue - it’s a superpower. And if you can survive a rough season with United, you’re more than equipped to weather the markets!